Plans to build 850 homes at Fiddington, near Tewkesbury, should be thrown out.

That was the view of the town council when members discussed Robert Hitchins Limited’s planning application for the homes and a primary school on fields close to the hamlet.

The site is next to one earmarked for a retail outlet centre and garden centre. Hitchins is also behind that £60million scheme, which has been granted outline planning permission and could be open in 2019. The company hopes to submit a detailed planning application for that development next year.

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In terms of the 850 homes application, town councillors’ concerns included the potential for traffic congestion on the A46 to be made worse.

With some people believing that the road is already at saturation point, members felt having a huge new housing estate next to it should not be allowed at this stage.

The area in red, close to junction nine of the M5, is the one the Hitchins wants permission to build on

And councillors also feared the development could increase flooding in the area, particularly in the Tirle Brook.

Councillor Simon Raywood, chairman of the town council’s planning committee, said: “While this site is not within the boundaries of the town council, the impacts of development on it are likely to be felt in the town.”

He said that while the houses on the site should not be at risk of flooding, access to them would cross the flood plain and there could be an increase in surface water run-off that could have a knock-on effect on flooding in Tewkesbury.

The development could also worsen traffic congestion on the A46 corridor and junction nine of the M5 and this could reduce the air quality there and at nearby Tewkesbury School.

Part of the land at Fiddington being targeted by the developer

Mr Raywood said having so many new houses on the site could put a strain on public services in and around Tewkesbury.

The town council is to seek the view of the Tewkesbury-based Severn and Avon Valley Combined Flood Group about whether a public meeting should be arranged. This would be to discuss how best to protect the Tewkesbury area from flooding in the light of major proposed housing developments, such as at Fiddington and Mitton.

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While the town council’s view is important, it will be the borough council that decides whether the Fiddington application is approved or not.

A spokeswoman for the borough council said no date had been fixed yet for it to be considered by its planning committee.

Highways England has asked the borough for more time before it gives its view on the matter.

In its application, Hitchins said: “The proposed development will create housing choice and new amenity spaces for the existing and new community whilst improving public access across the site and to the wider pedestrian network.”